ANOTHER TRY OUT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13772, 15 October 1942, Page 8

ANOTHER TRY OUT

E.P.S. ORGANISATION

Full-Dress Rehearsal on November 2

Activities of Various Units

Reviewed

A full try-out of the Emergency Precautions Service in Tauranga is to be held on Monday, November 2, a decision to this effect being made by the General Committee of the organisation at a meeting held recently.

The executive will be responsible for fixing the exact time at which the trial will be held it being considered by the meeting that the time decided upon should be so arranged as not to interfere more than necessarily with business or work generally. There were present at the meeting Messrs A. J. Mirrielees (in the chair), Mrs Christian (W.W.S.A.), Messrs. H, Lewis (executive), C. H. Jordan, H. J. G. Allen, C. "W. Clark (supply), C H. Davies, C. C. Hall King (communications), W G. Robbie (public utilities), C. H. D. Porter (works), A. Stewart (fire), B. P. Andrews, H. W. Kirkby (Harbour), A. C. Isherwood (school), L. H. Carmichael (lighting controller), F. N. Christian, J. A. Guinness (transport), Denis Ivory (medical), D. C. D. Thomas (Katikati, the Hon. B. C. Robbins, M.L.C., Mr F. W. Doidge, M.P., and Mr E. Tamblyn, (hon. secretary). The executive’s report was read by the secretary. It dealt with fire prevention, the E.P.S. booklet, setting up a combined central committee, black-out trial, emergency telephones, and the departure of Sergt. D. Austin from Tauranga. On the motion of the chairman seconded by Mr Ivory, it was resolved' that a letter of appreciation of his services be sent to Sergt. Austin. who has been transferred to Wellington on promotion.

The Medical Unit’s report was read by Mr Ivory, (controller). Regular meetings had been held and 50 stretchers were now ready for use. A country group had been formed at Tauriko. Dressings, etc., had been put in readiness at Gate Pa Hall. Thirty men were now ready to sit for first aid certificates. These men had voluntarily contributed 2/6 each to the St. John Amulance as a gesture of appreciation, and it was suggested that this should be augmented by the E.P.S. Mr Jordan, head of the supply unit, verbally reported that minutes of all meetings had been sent on to the executive, which therefore conversant with the operations of the unit. Every department was in working order, and it was thought that everything -was satisfactory. The Transport Unit’s report was read by Mr Christian, (chairman). The main committee met every fortnight. Drivers were still required. There was a false impression that numbers of these were available, but that was not so in the borough. It would be advisable to have a roll of Home Guard personnel for purpose of checking. A Denial of Resources Committee had been formed by this unit with Mr G. Forbes as head, but difficulty was being experienced in getting sufficient men.

Fighting Position

The warden’s report, supplied by Mr E. C. Perriman, chief light warden, was read by the secretary. It stated that the lighting position was fairly good, but the Government housing block was an unsatisfactory district and required a good deal of attention. The shortage of men was still acute, and it was likely to become worse as men were called to the Home Guard. Mr Carmichael, local lighting controller. presented his report which dealt with reports made by the masters of two coastal vessels. Both of these showed that, with the exception of isolated lights probably from farm cottages, the district presented a totally blacked-our appearance from the sea. However, there were still some residents who from carelessness still fail to draw blinds, etc., and these required constant attention.

Mr Ishenvood, chairman of the school committee, reported verbally for the care of school children unit, and asked for the opinion of the meeting on some aspects of the evacuation of the children from the school. He also mentioned that some of the equipment for fire prevention was not in good working order. It was suggested that Supt. Stewart be consulted with regard to the fire fighting equipment. It was pointed out that the children would be sent to their homes by the selected routes as soon as conditions warranted, but during an actual emergency, would be kept in the slit trenches provided tn the grounds. Mr Davis (postmaster), reported

on the question of installing telephones in dressing stations. Headquarters had agreed to this being done, but part cost would require to be paid. He suggested, and it was agreed, that he should consult with the secretary regarding this matter. Mr Porter, chairman of the works unit, reported that it was in process of formation, and 13 men had been picked from various trades. He also thought that something should be done to keep the trenches in good order, as many of these were becoming overgrown and not fit for use. This matter was referred to the executive.

The Fire Brigade was represented by Supt. Stewart, who verbally reported some difficulty in keeping up his personnel. Much new equipment was needed as the brigade had recently been raised from schedule four to schedule two. fancj2dt

Mr Andrews, (controller), submitted a report on the Harbour unit, which stated that the unit was making good progress. Semaphore signalling was now being practised, and a special squad was on Morse signalling together with work in conjuction with the marine section of the Air Force. Mr Blomquist, of Katikati, had been attached and woulc? be used for emergency work in that locality. First aid outfits had been placed on all boats. A day’s operations in conjunction with the Home Guard had also been arranged. Women’s Auxiliary The hofi. secretary of the W.W.S.A. (Mrs Christian), reported on the organisation. Routine training and practice in all departments was being carried on. Since last meeting 14 members had gone into war service, but these had been replaced. Katikati was now an independent centre. Te Puke had an excellent result of 100 per cent in its transport examination, some members having scored very high marks. Mt. Maunganui was kept fully employed, the canteen group especially. The Tauranga canteen group was also helping at the Church Army Hut; and the clerical group, being well organised, was ready to cope with E.P.S. requirements in emergency. There are also 24 wardens attached to the care of children group and each was a first aider and her home was a depot for children needing care. The transport groups was somewhat short of personnel, and, although, the mobile canteen was not yet in sight, there was a prospect of securing a caravan for this purpose.. The vegetablegrowing scheme was well under way. Land girls were required, and an effort was being made to cope with this situation. Mrs Christian also read a letter from a resident five miles from Tauranga, asking if any arrangements could be made for country families to be moved to safety in event of changes threatening their locality. This was referred to the executive for consideration. On the motion of Mr Lewis, seconded by Mr Porter, it was decided that a copy of the reports be forwarded to the Manpower Committee.

A letter from the local lighting controller suggested that the Chief Light Warden (Mr Perriman) be appointed a member of the Reduced Lighting Committee, and that wardens be instructed in the use of torches; that another trial black-out be held; that the fire alarm lights be extinguished during trials, and, of course, in an emergency; and that in future trials and black-outs it would be necessary to disconnect the wharf and railway lights. The letter was referred to the executive for consideration.